U.S. patent number 7,186,910 [Application Number 10/383,836] was granted by the patent office on 2007-03-06 for musical tone generating apparatus and musical tone generating computer program.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Yamaha Corporation. Invention is credited to Thomas Koritke, Yasushi Sakurai.
United States Patent |
7,186,910 |
Sakurai , et al. |
March 6, 2007 |
Musical tone generating apparatus and musical tone generating
computer program
Abstract
A plurality of play style dependence tone colors belonging to
one kind of musical instrument tone color but being different from
one another in terms of play styles are respectively assigned to
different values of velocity and note number. For example, play
style dependence tone colors such as open soft and open middle of a
steel guitar are assigned to tone pitch ranges C2 to B5, and the
play style dependence tone colors are respectively assigned to
different velocity values. Play style dependence tone colors such
as strumming and fret noise of a steel guitar are assigned to tone
pitch ranges C6 to G8, and the play style dependence tone colors
are respectively assigned to different note number values. By
setting the note number and velocity values in note-on event data
in various ways, musical tone signals of various play style
dependence tone colors are generated even if the program change and
bank select data are not changed. This provides shorter processing
time needed for switching among tone colors of different play
styles, and also the work of editing the performance data or the
like including the switching of the tone colors can be performed
easily and accurately.
Inventors: |
Sakurai; Yasushi (Hamamatsu,
JP), Koritke; Thomas (Hamamatsu, JP) |
Assignee: |
Yamaha Corporation (Hamamatsu,
JP)
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Family
ID: |
28034900 |
Appl.
No.: |
10/383,836 |
Filed: |
March 7, 2003 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20030172799 A1 |
Sep 18, 2003 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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Mar 12, 2002 [JP] |
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2002-066486 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
84/622;
84/626 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G10H
1/06 (20130101); G10H 7/02 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G10H
7/00 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;84/622,626,659,661 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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63-62759 |
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Dec 1988 |
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JP |
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10-340081 |
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Dec 1998 |
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JP |
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2001-100744 |
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Jan 2001 |
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JP |
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Other References
Roland, RS-PCM Keyboard U-20, Owner's Manual, Jun. 8, 1999, pp.
60-61, 85 and 160-162. cited by other.
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Primary Examiner: Donels; Jeffrey W
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Morrison & Foerster LLP
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A musical tone generating apparatus comprising: a musical tone
signal generating circuit for generating a musical tone signal; a
musical tone signal generation controlling portion for inputting a
first performance data that includes a note number data
representing a tone pitch of the musical tone signal and a velocity
data representing a tone volume level of the musical tone signal
for giving instructions for generation of the musical tone signal
and for controlling the generation of the musical tone signal in
said musical tone signal generating circuit in accordance with the
input first performance data; and a parameter memory for storing
plural sets of musical tone generating parameters for respectively
generating musical tone signals of tone colors corresponding to
plural kinds of play style, said tone colors being different from
one another in terms of play styles in one kind of musical
instrument, said tone colors being respectively assigned to
different values of said velocity data, wherein said musical tone
signal generation controlling portion controls reading one set of
musical tone generating parameters corresponding to a tone color
that is assigned to a value of the velocity data in said input
first performance data from said parameter memory and supplying the
read one set of musical tone generating parameters to said musical
tone signal generating circuit, so as to allow said musical tone
signal generating circuit to generate a musical tone signal of the
tone color corresponding to said read one set of musical tone
generating parameters.
2. The musical tone generating apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the values of said velocity data are divided into plural
ranges including plural different values, and different tone colors
are respectively assigned to the divided plural ranges.
3. The musical tone generating apparatus according to claim 2,
wherein said musical tone signal generation controlling portion
includes a velocity data converting portion for converting the
values of velocity data belonging to each range of said divided
ranges to values representing tone volume levels of musical tone
signals of tone colors corresponding to the range so as to supply
the converted values to said musical tone signal generating circuit
whereby the tone volume levels of the musical tone signals of the
tone colors are controlled in accordance with said converted values
representing the tone volume levels.
4. The musical tone generating apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein each of the sets of musical tone generating parameters
respectively corresponding to said tone colors is further made of
plural sets of sub musical tone generating parameters respectively
assigned to different values of said note number data, and said
musical tone signal generation controlling portion controls reading
one set of sub musical tone generating parameters that belongs to
the one set of musical tone generating parameters assigned to the
value of said velocity data and is assigned to a value of said note
number data from said parameter memory.
5. A musical tone generating apparatus comprising: a musical tone
signal generating circuit for generating a musical tone signal; a
musical tone signal generation controlling portion for inputting a
first performance data that includes a note number data
representing a tone pitch of the musical tone signal and a velocity
data representing a tone volume level of the musical tone signal
for giving instructions for generation of the musical tone signal
and a second performance data for selecting any one kind of musical
instrument tone color from among plural kinds of musical instrument
tone colors respectively corresponding to plural kinds of musical
instruments and for controlling the generation of the musical tone
signal in said musical tone signal generating circuit in accordance
with the input first performance data and second performance data,
and a parameter memory for storing plural sets of musical tone
generating parameters prepared for each of said plural kinds of
musical instrument tone colors for respectively generating musical
tone signals of the tone colors corresponding to plural kinds of
play style, said tone colors being different from one another in
terms of play styles in one kind of musical instrument, and said
tone colors being respectively assigned to different values of said
velocity data, wherein said musical tone signal generation
controlling portion controls reading one set of musical tone
generating parameters corresponding to a tone color that belongs to
a musical instrument tone color designated by said input second
performance data and is assigned to a value of the velocity data in
said input first performance data from said parameter memory and
supplying the read one set of musical tone generating parameters to
said musical tone signal generating circuit, so as to allow said
musical tone signal generating circuit to generate a musical tone
signal of the tone color corresponding to said read one set of
musical tone generating parameters.
6. The musical tone generating apparatus according to claim 5,
wherein the values of said velocity data are divided into plural
ranges including plural different values, and different tone colors
are respectively assigned to the divided plural ranges.
7. The musical tone generating apparatus according to claim 6,
wherein said musical tone signal generation controlling portion
includes a velocity data converting portion for converting the
values of velocity data belonging to each range of said divided
ranges to values representing tone volume levels of musical tone
signals of tone colors corresponding to the range so as to supply
the converted values to said musical tone signal generating circuit
whereby the tone volume levels of the musical tone signals of the
tone colors are controlled in accordance with said converted values
representing the tone volume levels.
8. The musical tone generating apparatus according to claim 5,
wherein each of the sets of musical tone generating parameters
respectively corresponding to said tone colors is further made of
plural sets of sub musical tone generating parameters respectively
assigned to different values of said note number data, and said
musical tone signal generation controlling portion controls reading
one set of sub musical tone generating parameters that belongs to
the one set of musical tone generating parameters assigned to the
value of said velocity data and is assigned to a value of said note
number data from said parameter memory.
9. A musical tone generating apparatus comprising: a musical tone
signal generating circuit for generating a musical tone signal; a
musical tone signal generation controlling portion for inputting a
first performance data that includes at least a note number data
representing a tone pitch of the musical tone signal for giving
instructions for generation of the musical tone signal and for
controlling the generation of the musical tone signal in said
musical tone signal generating circuit in accordance with the input
first performance data, and a parameter memory for storing plural
sets of musical tone generating parameters for respectively
generating musical tone signals of tone colors corresponding to
plural kinds of play style, said tone colors being different from
one another in terms of play styles in one kind of musical
instrument, where some of the tone colors are assigned to values of
note number data belonging to some range, while some other tone
colors are assigned to values of note number data belonging to some
other range, wherein said musical tone signal generation
controlling portion controls reading one set of musical tone
generating parameters corresponding to a tone color that is
assigned to a value of the note number data in said input first
performance data from said parameter memory and supplying the read
one set of musical tone generating parameters to said musical tone
signal generating circuit, so as to allow said musical tone signal
generating circuit to generate a musical tone signal of the tone
color corresponding to said read one set of musical tone generating
parameters.
10. The musical tone generating apparatus according to claim 9,
wherein said some other tone colors are tone colors of play style
that is not associated with specific tone pitches, and the values
of note number data belonging to said some other range represent
tone pitches outside of a tone pitch range that can be generated as
musical tone signals having one specific tone pitch.
11. The musical tone generating apparatus according of claim 9,
wherein said other tone colors are made of plural kinds of play
style dependent tone colors, wherein some other range includes
plural different values of note number data, and wherein the plural
kinds of play style dependent tone colors belonging to said other
tone colors are respectively assigned to different values among the
plural values of note number data belonging to said some other
range.
12. The musical tone generating apparatus according of claim 9,
wherein said first performance data includes a velocity data
representing a tone volume level of the musical tone signal, at
least one of said some tone colors and said some other tone colors
are made of plural kinds of play style dependent tone colors,
wherein the plural kinds of play style dependent tone colors
belonging to said at least one of said some tone colors and said
some other tone colors are respectively assigned to different
values of said velocity data, and said musical tone signal
generation controlling portion controls reading a musical tone
generating parameter assigned to a value of the note number data in
said input first performance data and assigned to a value of the
velocity data in the first performance data among the plural sets
of musical tone generating parameters respectively corresponding to
the tone colors belonging to said at least one of said some play
style dependent tone colors and said some other play style
dependent tone colors from said parameter memory.
13. A musical tone generating apparatus comprising: a musical tone
signal generating circuit for generating a musical tone signal; a
musical tone signal generation controlling portion for inputting a
first performance data that includes at least a note number data
representing a tone pitch of the musical tone signal for giving
instructions for generation of the musical tone signal and a second
performance data for selecting any one kind of musical instrument
tone color from among plural kinds of musical instrument tone
colors respectively corresponding to plural kinds of musical
instruments and for controlling the generation of the musical tone
signal in said musical tone signal generating circuit in accordance
with the input first performance data and second performance data,
wherein a parameter memory for storing plural sets of musical tone
generating parameters prepared for each of said plural kinds of
musical instrument tone colors for respectively generating musical
tone signals of tone colors corresnonding to plural kinds of play
style, said tone colors being different from one another in terms
of play styles in one kind of musical instrument, where some of the
tone colors are assigned to values of note number data belonging to
some range, while some other tone colors are assigned to values of
note number data belonging to some other range, wherein said
musical tone signal generation controlling portion controls reading
one set of musical tone generating parameters corresponding to a
tone color that belongs to a musical instrument tone color
designated by said input second performance data and is assigned to
a value of the note number data in said input first performance
data from said parameter memory and supplying the read one set of
musical tone generating parameters to said musical tone signal
generating circuit, so as to allow said musical tone signal
generating circuit to generate a musical tone signal of the tone
color corresponding to said read one set of musical tone generating
parameters.
14. The musical tone generating apparatus according to claim 13,
wherein said some other tone colors are tone colors of play style
that is not associated with specific tone pitches, and wherein the
values of note number data belonging to said some other range
represent tone pitches outside of a tone pitch range that can be
generated as musical tone signals having one specific tone
pitch.
15. The musical tone generating apparatus according to claim 13,
wherein said other tone colors are made of plural kinds of play
style dependent tone colors, wherein some other range includes
plural different values of note number data, and wherein the plural
kinds of play style dependent tone colors belonging to said other
tone colors are respectively assigned to different values among the
plural values of note number data belonging to said some other
range.
16. The musical tone generating apparatus according to claim 13,
wherein said first performance data includes a velocity data
representing a tone volume level of the musical tone signal, at
least one of said some tone colors and said some other tone colors
are made of plural kinds of play style dependent tone colors, the
plural kinds of play style dependent tone colors belonging to said
at least one of said some tone colors and said some other tone
colors are respectively assigned to different values of said
velocity data, and said musical tone signal generation controlling
portion controls reading a musical tone generating parameter
assigned to a value of the note number data in said input first
performance data and assigned to a value of the velocity data in
the first performance data among the plural sets of musical tone
generating parameters respectively corresponding to the plural
kinds of play style dependent tone colors belonging to said at
least one of said some tone colors and said some other tone colors
from said parameter memory.
17. A musical tone generating computer program for a musical tone
generating apparatus comprising a musical tone signal generating
circuit that generates a musical tone signal, a parameter memory
that stores plural sets of musical tone generating parameters for
respectively generating musical tone signals of tone colors
corresponding to plural kinds of play style, said tone colors being
different from one another in terms of play styles in one kind of
musical instrument, and a computer that controls generation of the
musical tone signal in said musical tone signal generating circuit
in accordance with a first performance data that includes a note
number data representing a tone pitch of the musical tone signal
and a velocity data representing a tone volume level of the musical
tone signal for giving instructions for the generation of the
musical tone signal, where said tone colors are respectively
assigned to different values of said velocity data, said musical
tone generating computer program being applied to said computer of
said musical tone generating apparatus, for causing the musical
tone generating apparatus to perform the steps of: inputting said
first performance data; and controlling reading one set of musical
tone generating parameters corresponding to a tone color that is
assigned to a value of the velocity data in said input first
performance data from said parameter memory and supplying the read
one set of musical tone generating parameters to said musical tone
signal generating circuit, so as to allow said musical tone signal
generating circuit to generate a musical tone signal of the tone
color corresponding to said read one set of musical tone generating
parameters.
18. A musical tone generating computer program for a musical tone
generating apparatus comprising a musical tone signal generating
circuit that generates a musical tone signal, a parameter memory
that stores plural sets of musical tone generating parameters
prepared for each of plural kinds of musical instrument tone colors
respectively corresponding to plural kinds of musical instruments
for respectively generating musical tone signals of tone colors
corresponding to plural kinds of play style, said tone colors being
different from one another in terms of play styles in one kind of
musical instrument, and a computer that controls generation of the
musical tone signal in said musical tone signal generating circuit
in accordance with a first performance data that includes a note
number data representing a tone pitch of the musical tone signal
and a velocity data representing a tone volume level of the musical
tone signal for giving instructions for the generation of the
musical tone signal and a second performance data for selecting any
one kind of musical instrument tone color from among said plural
kinds of musical instrument tone colors, where said tone colors are
respectively assigned to different values of said velocity data,
said musical tone generating computer program being applied to said
computer for causing the musical tone generating apparatus for
causing the musical tone generating apparatus to perform the steps
of: inputting said first performance data and said second
performance data; and controlling reading one set of musical tone
generating parameters corresponding to a tone color that belongs to
a musical instrument tone color designated by said input second
performance data and is assigned to a value of the velocity data in
said input first performance data from said parameter memory and
supplying the read one set of musical tone generating parameters to
said musical tone signal generating circuit, so as to allow said
musical tone signal generating circuit to generate a musical tone
signal of the tone color corresponding to said read one set of
musical tone generating parameters.
19. A musical tone generating computer program for a musical tone
generating apparatus comprising a musical tone signal generating
circuit that generates a musical tone signal, a parameter memory
that stores plural sets of musical tone generating parameters for
respectively generating musical tone signals of tone colors
corresponding to plural kinds of play style, said tone colors being
different from one another in terms of play styles in one kind of
musical instrument, and a computer that controls generation of the
musical tone signal in said musical tone signal generating circuit
in accordance with a firstperformance data that includes at least a
note number data representing a tone pitch of the musical tone
signal for giving instructions for the generation of the musical
tone signal, where some of the tone colors are assigned to values
of note number data belonging to some range, while some other tone
colors are assigned to values of note number data belonging to some
other range, said musical tone generating computer program being
applied to said computer of said musical tone generating apparatus
for causing the musical tone generating apparatus to perform the
steps of: inputting said first performance data; and controlling
reading one set of musical tone generating parameters corresponding
to a tone color that is assigned to a value of the note number data
in said input first performance data from said parameter memory and
supplying the read one set of musical tone generating parameters to
said musical tone signal generating circuit, so as to allow said
musical tone signal generating circuit to generate a musical tone
signal of the tone color corresponding to said read one set of
musical tone generating parameters.
20. A musical tone generating computer program for a musical tone
generating apparatus comprising a musical tone signal generating
circuit that generates a musical tone signal, a parameter memory
that stores plural sets of musical tone generating parameters
prepared for each of plural kinds of musical instrument tone colors
respectively corresponding to plural kinds of musical instruments
for respectively generating musical tone signals of tone colors
corresponding to plural kinds of play style, said tone colors being
different from one another in terms of play styles in one kind of
musical instrument, and a computer that controls generation of the
musical tone signal in said musical tone signal generating circuit
in accordance with a first performance data that includes at least
a note number data representing a tone pitch of the musical tone
signal for giving instructions for the generation of the musical
tone signal and a second performance data for selecting any one
kind of musical instrument tone color from among said plural kinds
of musical instrument tone colors, where some tone colors are
assigned to values of note number data belonging to some range,
while some other tone colors are assigned to values of note number
data belonging to some other range, said musical tone generating
computer program being applied to said computer of said musical
tone generating apparatus for causing the musical tone generating
apparatus to perform the steps of: inputting said first performance
data and said second performance data; and controlling reading one
set of musical tone generating parameters corresponding to a tone
color that belongs to a musical instrument tone color designated by
said input second performance data and is assigned to a value of
the note number data in said input first performance data from said
parameter memory and supplying the read one set of musical tone
generating parameters to said musical tone signal generating
circuit, so as to allow said musical tone signal generating circuit
to generate a musical tone signal of the tone color corresponding
to said read one set of musical tone generating parameters.
21. A musical tone generating apparatus comprising: a musical tone
signal generating circuit for reading waveform data from a waveform
memory and for generating a musical tone signal based on the
waveform data; and a musical tone signal generation controlling
portion for inputting a first performance data that includes a note
number data representing a tone pitch of the musical tone signal
and a velocity data representing a tone volume level of the musical
tone signal for giving instructions for generation of the musical
tone signal and a second performance data for selecting any one
kind of musical instrumeni tone color from among plural kinds of
musical instrument tone colors respectively corresponding to plural
kinds of musical instruments and for controlling the generation of
the musical tone signal in said musical tone signal generating
circuit in accordance with the input first performance data and
second performance data, wherein said waveform data memory stores
plural waveform data prepared for each of said plural kinds of
musical instrument tone colors for respectively generating musical
tone signals of tone colors corresponding to plural kinds of play
styles, said tone colors being different from one another in terms
of play styles in one kind of musical instrument, and said tone
colors being respectively assigned to different values of said
velocity data, and said musical tone signal generation controlling
portion controls said musical tone signal generating circuit to
read waveform data corresponding to a tone color that belongs to a
musical instrument tone color designated by said input second
performance data and is assigned to a value of the velocity data in
said input first performance data from said waveform data memory so
that said musical tone signal generating circuit generates a
musical tone signal of the tone color corresponding to a kind of
play style.
22. A musical tone generating apparatus comprising: a musical tone
signal generating circuit for reading waveform data from a waveform
memory and for generating a musical tone signal based on the
waveform data; and a musical tone signal generation controlling
portion for inputting a first performance data that includes at
least a note number data representing a tone pitch of the musical
tone signal for giving instructions for generation of the musical
tone signal and a second performance data for selecting any one
kind of musical instrument tone color from among plural kinds of
musical instrument tone colors respectively corresponding to plural
kinds of musical instruments and for controlling the generation of
the musical tone signal in said musical tone signal generating
circuit in accordance with the input first performance data and
second performance data, wherein said waveform data memory stores
plural waveform data prepared for each of said plural kinds of
musical instrument tone colors for respectively generating musical
tone signals of tone colors corresponding to plural kinds of play
styles, said tone colors being different from one another in terms
of play styles in one kind of musical instrument, where some of the
tone colors are assigned to values of note number data belonging to
some range, while some other tone colors are assigned to values of
note number data belonging to some other range, and wherein said
musical tone signal generation controlling portion controls said
musical tone signal generating circuit to read waveform data
corresponding to a tone color that belongs to a musical instrument
tone color designated by said input second performance data and is
assigned to a value of the note number data in said input first
performance data, from said waveform data memory so that said
musical tone signal generating circuit generates a musical tone
signal of the tone color corresponding to a kind of play style.
23. A musical tone generating apparatus comprising: a musical tone
signal generating circuit for reading waveform data from a waveform
memory and for generating a musical tone signal based on the
waveform data; and a musical tone signal generation controlling
portion for inputting a first performance data that includes a note
number data representing a tone pitch of the musical tone signal
and a velocity data representing a tone volume level of the musical
tone signal for giving instructions for generation of the musical
tone signal and for controlling the generation of the musical tone
signal in said musical tone signal generating circuit in accordance
with the input first performance data, wherein said waveform data
memory stores plural waveform data for generating musical tone
signals of tone colors corresponding to plural kinds of play
styles, said tone colors being different from one another in terms
of play styles in one kind of musical instrument, and said tone
colors being respectively assigned to different values of said
velocity data, and said musical tone signal generation controlling
portion controls said musical tone signal generating circuit to
read waveform data corresponding to a tone color that is assigned
to a value of the velocity data in said input first performance
data from said waveform data memory so that said musical tone
signal generating circuit generates a musical tone signal of the
tone color corresponding to a kind of play style.
24. A musical tone generating apparatus comprising: a musical tone
signal generating circuit for reading waveform data from a waveform
memory and for generating a musical tone signal based on the
waveform data; and a musical tone signal generation controlling
portion for inputting a first performance data that includes at
least a note number data representing a tone pitch of the musical
tone signal for giving instructions for generation of the musical
tone signal and for controlling the generation of the musical tone
signal in said musical tone signal generating circuit in accordance
with the input first performance data, wherein said waveform data
memory stores plural waveform data for generating musical tone
signals of tone colors corresponding to plural kinds of play
styles, said tone colors being different from one another in terms
of play styles in one kind of musical instrument, where some of the
tone colors are assigned to values of note number data belonging to
some range, while some other tone colors are assigned to values of
note number data belonging to some other range, and wherein said
musical tone signal generation controlling portion controls said
musical tone signal generating circuit to read waveform data
corresponding to a tone color that is assigned to a value of the
note number data in said input first performance data from said
waveform data memory so that said musical tone signal generating
circuit generates a musical tone signal of the tone color
corresponding to a kind of play style.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a musical tone generating
apparatus that generates a musical tone signal of a desired tone
color in accordance with a performance data as well as to a musical
tone generating computer program for generating the musical tone
signal.
2. Description of the Background Art
Hitherto, in order to select a tone color of a musical tone signal
generated in an electronic musical instrument, one makes use of a
special tone color selection data for selecting a tone color. This
tone color selection data belongs to one kind of performance event
data together with a note-on event data and a note-off event data,
and is made of a bank select data and a program change data.
However, these tone colors correspond to tone colors of one kind of
musical instrument such as a steel guitar and an electric guitar,
so that different tone colors being different from one another in
terms of play styles in one and the same musical instrument are not
differentiated.
In recent years, selection among different tone colors being
different from one another in terms of play styles is desired, and
a method therefor is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Laid-open
Patent Publication No. 10-214083/1998. In this case, for tone
colors of a guitar, sampling waveform data of guitar sounds in
various styles of playing such as normal playing, mute playing, and
glissando playing are respectively stored in different storage
areas of a waveform memory as normal waveform data, mute waveform
data, glissando waveform data, and the like in correspondence with
the bank select data and the program change data. In order to
select among these different waveform data being different from one
another in terms of play styles, the bank select data and the
program change data are inserted into the performance data, whereby
the normal waveform data, the mute waveform data, the glissando
waveform data, and the like are read out from the waveform data
memory and reproduced by means of the bank select data and the
program change data at the time of reproducing the performance
data.
However, in the aforementioned conventional apparatus, if one
wishes to generate musical tone signals of different tone colors
belonging to one kind of musical instrument tone color and being
different from one another in terms of play styles, the bank select
data or the program change data must be selected every time and
bank select processing or program change processing must be
executed. Indeed, since the generation of such musical tone signals
of different tone colors being different from one another in terms
of play styles frequently takes place (in some cases, tone colors
are switched for each musical note), the process of switching the
tone colors disadvantageously consumes time. Also, the bank select
data and the program change data for selection among different tone
colors belonging to one kind of musical instrument tone color and
being different from one another in terms of play styles constitute
event data different from the note-on event data, thereby raising
problems such as cumbersome labor or errors in the work of editing
the performance data.
The present invention has been made in order to solve the
aforementioned problems of the prior art, and an object thereof is
to provide a musical tone generating apparatus and a musical tone
generating computer program that provide shorter processing time
needed for switching among tone colors of different play styles,
and also allows the work of editing the performance data or the
like including the switching of the tone colors to be performed
easily and accurately.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The first characteristic feature of the present invention lies in
that a musical tone generating apparatus is provided with a
parameter memory that stores plural sets of musical tone generating
parameters for respectively generating musical tone signals of
plural kinds of play style dependence tone colors being different
from one another in terms of play styles in one kind of musical
instrument, and the plural kinds of play style dependence tone
colors are respectively assigned to different values of velocity
data, wherein a musical tone signal generation controlling portion
inputs a first performance data that includes a note number data
representing a tone pitch of a musical tone signal and a velocity
data representing a tone volume level of the musical tone signal
for giving instructions for generation of the musical tone signal,
and controls reading one set of musical tone generating parameters
corresponding to a play style dependence tone color that is
assigned to a value of the velocity data in the input first
performance data from the parameter memory and supplying the read
one set of musical tone generating parameters to a musical tone
signal generating circuit, so as to allow the musical tone signal
generating circuit to generate a musical tone signal of the play
style dependence tone color corresponding to the read one set of
musical tone generating parameters.
The first characteristic feature of the present invention also lies
in that the parameter memory stores plural sets of musical tone
generating parameters for respectively generating musical tone
signals of plural kinds of play style dependence tone colors for
each of plural kinds of musical instrument tone colors, and the
musical tone signal generation controlling portion also inputs a
second performance data for selecting any one kind of musical
instrument tone color from among plural kinds of musical instrument
tone colors respectively corresponding to plural kinds of musical
instruments in addition to the first performance data, and controls
reading one set of musical tone generating parameters corresponding
to a play style dependence tone color that belongs to a musical
instrument tone color designated by the input second performance
data and is assigned to a value of the velocity data in the input
first performance data from the parameter memory and supplying the
read one set of musical tone generating parameters to the musical
tone signal generating circuit, so as to allow the musical tone
signal generating circuit to generate a musical tone signal of the
play style dependence tone color corresponding to the read one set
of musical tone generating parameters.
According to these first characteristic features, musical tone
signals of plural kinds of play style dependence tone colors being
different from one another in terms of play styles in one and the
same kind of musical instrument can be generated simply by setting
the velocity data in the first performance data to various values.
This eliminates the need for using the bank select data and the
program change data, thereby providing shorter processing time
needed for switching among the play style dependence tone colors.
Also, this simplifies the work of editing the performance data
including designation of a play style dependence tone color, and
prevents occurrence of errors in the editing work.
Further, in the aforesaid first characteristic feature of the
present invention, it is preferable that, in assigning plural kinds
of play style dependence tone colors to the velocity data, the
values of the velocity data are divided into plural ranges
including plural different values, and different play style
dependence tone colors are respectively assigned to the divided
plural ranges. Also, it is preferable that the musical tone signal
generation controlling portion includes a velocity data converting
portion for converting the values of velocity data belonging to
each range of the divided ranges to values representing tone volume
levels of musical tone signals of play style dependence tone colors
corresponding to the range so as to supply the converted values to
the musical tone signal generating circuit whereby the tone volume
levels of the musical tone signals of the play style dependence
tone colors are controlled in accordance with the converted values
representing the tone volume levels.
According to this, musical tone signals of plural kinds of play
style dependence tone colors can be formed with the use of velocity
data, and also the tone volume levels of the musical tone signals
generated in accordance with the velocity data can be controlled,
thereby leading to improvements in the quality of the generated
musical tone signals.
Further, in the first characteristic feature of the present
invention, it is preferable that each of the sets of musical tone
generating parameters respectively corresponding to the plural
kinds of play style dependence tone colors is further made of
plural sets of sub musical tone generating parameters respectively
assigned to different values of the note number data, and the
musical tone signal generation controlling portion controls reading
one set of sub musical tone generating parameters that belongs to
the one set of musical tone generating parameters assigned to the
value of the velocity data and is assigned to a value of the note
number data from the parameter memory.
This allows that, in the case of generating musical tone signals
having different tone pitch ranges or different tone pitches, the
musical tone signals are generated with the use of different sub
musical tone generating parameters even if the musical tone signals
belong to one and the same play style dependence tone color,
thereby leading to improvements in the quality of the generated
musical tone signals.
The second characteristic feature of the present invention lies in
that the note number data is used in place of the velocity data in
the aforementioned first characteristic feature of the present
invention, and some play style dependence tone colors among the
plural kinds of play style dependence tone colors are assigned to
values of note number data belonging to some range, while some
other play style dependence tone colors among the plural kinds of
play style dependence tone colors are assigned to values of note
number data belonging to some other range, wherein the musical tone
signal generation controlling portion controls reading one set of
musical tone generating parameters corresponding to a play style
dependence tone color that is assigned to a value of the note
number data in the input first performance data from the parameter
memory and supplying the read one set of musical tone generating
parameters to the musical tone signal generating circuit, so as to
allow the musical tone signal generating circuit to generate a
musical tone signal of the play style dependence tone color
corresponding to the read one set of musical tone generating
parameters.
The second characteristic feature of the present invention also
lies in that the parameter memory stores plural sets of musical
tone generating parameters for respectively generating musical tone
signals of plural kinds of play style dependence tone colors for
each of plural kinds of musical instrument tone colors, and the
musical tone signal generation controlling portion also inputs a
second performance data for selecting any one kind of musical
instrument tone color from among plural kinds of musical instrument
tone colors respectively corresponding to plural kinds of musical
instruments in addition to the first performance data, and controls
reading one set of musical tone generating parameters corresponding
to a play style dependence tone color that belongs to a musical
instrument tone color designated by the input second performance
data and is assigned to a value of the note number data in the
input first performance data from the parameter memory and
supplying the read one set of musical tone generating parameters to
the musical tone signal generating circuit, so as to allow the
musical tone signal generating circuit to generate a musical tone
signal of the play style dependence tone color corresponding to the
read one set of musical tone generating parameters.
According to these second characteristic features, musical tone
signals of plural kinds of play style dependence tone colors being
different from one another in terms of play styles in one and the
same kind of musical instrument can be generated simply by setting
the note number data in the first performance data to various
values. This provides shorter processing time needed for switching
among the play style dependence tone colors in this second
characteristic feature as well. Also, this simplifies the work of
editing the performance data including designation of a play style
dependence tone color, and prevents occurrence of errors in the
editing work.
Further, in the aforesaid second characteristic feature of the
present invention, it is preferable that said some other play style
dependence tone colors are tone colors of play styles that is not
associated with specific tone pitches, and the values of note
number data belonging to said some other range represent tone
pitches outside of a tone pitch range that can be generated as
musical tone signals having one specific tone pitch. According to
this, the play style dependence tone colors that are not associated
with specific tone pitches, such as strumming, fret noise, and
glissando, are assigned to note number data representing tone
pitches outside the tone pitch range that can be generated as
musical tone signals having one specific tone pitch, for example,
to note number data representing tone pitches within a tone pitch
range that cannot be generated in the relevant musical instrument,
so that the note number data can be effectively used without
hindering the generation of musical tone signals having tone
pitches.
Further, in the aforesaid second characteristic feature of the
present invention, it is preferable that said other play style
dependence tone colors are made of plural kinds of play style
dependence tone colors, and some other range includes plural
different values of note number data, and the plural kinds of play
style dependence tone colors belonging to said other play style
dependence tone colors are respectively assigned to different
values among the plural values of note number data belonging to
said some other range. According to this, plural kinds of other
play style dependence tone colors can be used, whereby variegated
musical tone signals can be generated.
Further, in the aforesaid second characteristic feature of the
present invention, it is preferable that said first performance
data includes a velocity data representing a tone volume level of
the musical tone signal; at least one of said some play style
dependence tone colors and said some other play style dependence
tone colors are made of plural kinds of play style dependence tone
colors; the plural kinds of play style dependence tone colors
belonging to said at least one of said some play style dependence
tone colors and said some other play style dependence tone colors
are respectively assigned to different values of said velocity
data; and said musical tone signal generation controlling portion
controls reading a musical tone generating parameter assigned to a
value of the note number data in said input first performance data
and assigned to a value of the velocity data in the first
performance data among the plural sets of musical tone generating
parameters respectively corresponding to the plural kinds of play
style dependence tone colors belonging to said at least one of said
some play style dependence tone colors and said some other play
style dependence tone colors from said parameter memory.
According to this, by using the velocity data in addition to the
note number data, multiple kinds of play style dependence tone
colors can be used, whereby more variegated musical tone signals
can be generated.
Further, the third and fourth characteristic features of the
present invention lie in that the musical tone signal generation
controlling portion in the musical tone generating apparatus
according to the aforesaid first and second characteristic features
of the present invention is constituted with a computer, so as to
realize various functions in the aforesaid first and second
characteristic features of the present invention with a musical
tone generating computer program applied to the computer included
within the musical tone generating apparatus. Various effects
described before can be expected according to these features as
well.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an electronic
musical instrument to which the present invention is applied;
FIG. 2 is a format diagram showing a format of tone color data
stored in an external storage device, ROM, or the like of FIG.
1;
FIG. 3 is a flowchart of tone color selection event program stored
in an external storage device or the like of FIG. 1 and executed by
the CPU;
FIG. 4 is a flowchart of tone generating instruction event program
stored in an external storage device or the like of FIG. 1 and
executed by the CPU;
FIG. 5A is a view showing how play style dependence tone colors
belonging to steel guitar tone colors are assigned to note names
(note numbers);
FIG. 5B is a view showing how the play style dependence tone colors
belonging to the steel guitar tone colors are assigned to
velocities;
FIG. 6A is a view showing how play style dependence tone colors
belonging to electric bass guitar tone colors are assigned to note
names (note numbers);
FIG. 6B is a view showing how the play style dependence tone colors
belonging to the electric bass guitar tone colors are assigned to
velocities;
FIG. 7 is a format diagram showing one example of automatic
performance data; and
FIG. 8 is a view showing how play style dependence tone colors are
assigned to velocities according to a modified example.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Hereafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be
described with reference to the attached drawings. FIG. 1 is a
schematic block diagram illustrating an electronic musical
instrument to which the musical tone generating apparatus and the
musical tone generating computer program according to the present
invention are applied.
This electronic musical instrument includes a play operator group
11, a panel operator group 12, and a displayer 13. Play operator
group 11 is constructed, for example, with a keyboard made of
plural keys or the like, and an operation thereof gives
instructions for generation of musical tones and on the tone pitch
of the musical tones to be generated. Panel operators in panel
operator group 12 are respectively disposed on an operation panel,
and an operation thereof gives instructions on an operation of the
electronic musical instrument as a whole including designation of
tone colors, tone volume levels, and the like of the musical tones
to be generated, indication of the display contents on displayer
13, and others. Here, this panel operator group 12 is meant to
include operators such as ten-keys, cursor movement keys, and a
mouse. The operations of these play operator group 11 and panel
operator group 12 are respectively detected by detection circuits
14, 15 connected to a bus 20. Displayer 13 is constructed with a
CRT displayer, a liquid crystal displayer, or the like, and
displays various information with the use of characters, numerals,
or figures. Display of this displayer 13 is controlled by a display
circuit 16 connected to bus 20.
Further, this electronic musical instrument also includes a musical
tone signal generating circuit 30 connected to bus 20 for
generating musical tone signals. Musical tone signal generating
circuit 30 includes a register section 31, a waveform data reading
processing section 32, a filter processing section 33, an envelope
processing section 34, an accumulating section 35, and an effect
processing section 36.
Register section 31 is made of plural sets of registers
respectively corresponding to plural tone generation channels
connected to bus 20,and store temporarily various data supplied via
bus 20 for controlling each section 32 to 36 of musical tone signal
generating circuit 30. Waveform data reading processing section 32
selectively reads waveform data stored in waveform memory 40.
Waveform memory 40 stores plural sets of waveform data respectively
obtained by sampling the musical tone waveforms of plural kinds of
musical instruments in correspondence with musical instrument tone
colors. Generally, in these musical tone waveform data, for one
kind of musical instrument tone color, a different set of waveform
data is prepared for each predetermined tone pitch range (or for
each tone pitch). Further, for a velocity data value (tone volume
level), plural sets of waveform data may be prepared in
correspondence with its level. Here, this waveform data constitutes
part of the musical tone generating parameters.
Further, waveform memory 40 may be constituted with a ROM or a RAM,
or ROM and RAM may be used in combination. If waveform memory 40 is
constituted with RAM, the waveform data may be stored in another
recording medium (for example, a later-mentioned hard disk), and
the waveform data may be read out from the recording medium to be
written into RAM at the time when the power switch is turned on or
the like. Further, use of RAM facilitates use of a waveform data
that is newly prepared. Further, if a non-volatile and writable
memory such as EEPROM is used, one can avoid writing of the
waveform data at the time when the power is turned on.
Particularly, in the present embodiment, with regard to a musical
instrument that is played by different play styles, for one kind of
musical instrument tone color, waveform data corresponding to
plural play style dependence tone colors being different from one
another in terms of play styles are stored by being assigned to
each value of the velocity data and the note number data. This
point will be described by raising the musical instrument tone
colors of a steel guitar and an electric bass guitar as examples.
Here, the velocity data represents the tone volume level of a
musical tone signal that usually increases according as the value
thereof increases. In the present embodiment, the velocity data
changes in the range from "0" to "127". The note number data
represents the tone pitch (note name) of a musical tone signal that
usually changes towards the high tone side according as the value
thereof increases. In the present embodiment, the note number data
changes in the range from "0" to "127". Here, the value "0" of the
note number data corresponds to the note name C2, and the value
"127" corresponds to the note name G8.
Referring to FIG. 5A, in the case of steel guitar tone colors,
eight kinds of play style dependence tone colors made of open soft
play style tone color, open middle play style tone color, open hard
play style tone color, dead note play style tone color, mute play
style tone color, hammering play style tone color, slide play style
tone color, and harmonics play style tone color are assigned to the
tone pitch range C2 to B5 (corresponding to "0" to "95" of note
numbers) that is available for playing a general steel guitar.
Further, these play style dependence tone colors are respectively
assigned to different ranges of velocity data values. Specifically,
for example, the open soft play style tone color is assigned to the
range of velocity data values "0" to "15"; the open middle play
style tone color to the range of values "16" to "30"; the open hard
play style tone color to the range of values "31" to "45"; the dead
note play style tone color to the range of values "46" to "60"; the
mute play style tone color to the range of values "61"to "75"; the
hammering play style tone color to the range of values "76" to
"90"; the slide play style tone color to the range of values "91"
to "105"; and the harmonics play style tone color to the range of
values "106" to "127", as shown in FIG. 5B.
Further, referring to FIG. 5A again, play style tone colors that
are not associated with specific tone pitches are assigned to the
range of the tone pitch range C6 to G8 (corresponding to "96" to
"127" of note number) that is not used in a general steel guitar
play, i.e. that is generally incapable of generating musical tones.
Strumming play style tone color is assigned to the tone pitch range
C6 to D7 (corresponding to "96" to "110" of note numbers). This
strumming play style tone color further includes plural different
strumming play style tone colors that are dependent on the
difference in the speed of stroke, the position of muting with a
left hand, and the like. These plural different strumming play
style tone colors are respectively assigned to different tone
pitches within the tone pitch range C6 to D7. Further, fret noise
play style tone color is assigned to the tone pitch range D#7 to G8
(corresponding to "111" to "127" of note numbers). This fret noise
play style tone color further includes plural different fret noise
play style tone colors such as a scratch sound that is obtained by
scratching a string with a finger or a pick and a sound that is
generated by slapping the main body of the steel guitar. These
plural different fret noise play style tone colors are respectively
assigned to different tone pitches within the tone pitch range D#7
to G8.
Referring to FIG. 6A, in the case of electric bass guitar tone
colors, four kinds of play style dependence tone colors made of
finger open play style tone color, mute play style tone color, dead
note play style tone color, and slap play style tone color are
assigned to the tone pitch range C2 to B5 (corresponding to "0" to
"95" of note numbers) that is available for playing a general
electric bass guitar. Further, these play style dependence tone
colors are respectively assigned to different ranges of velocity
data values. Specifically, for example, the finger open play style
tone color is assigned to the range of velocity data values "0" to
"40"; the mute play style tone color to the range of values "41" to
"80"; the dead note play style tone color to the range of values
"81" to "120"; and the slap play style tone color to the range of
values "121" to "127", as shown in FIG. 6B.
Further, referring to FIG. 6A again, play style tone colors that
are not associated with specific tone pitches are assigned to the
range of the tone pitch range C6 to G8 (corresponding to "96" to
"127" of note numbers) that is not used in a general electric bass
guitar play, i.e. that is generally incapable of generating musical
tones. Glissando play style tone color is assigned to the tone
pitch range C6 to D7 (corresponding to "96" to "110" of note
numbers). This glissando play style tone color further includes
plural different glissando play style tone colors that are
dependent on the difference in the speed of tone pitch change, the
direction of tone pitch change, and the like. These plural
different glissando play style tone colors are respectively
assigned to different tone pitches within the tone pitch range C6
to D7. Further, fret noise play style tone color is assigned to the
tone pitch range D#7 to G8 (corresponding to "111" to "127" of note
numbers) in the same manner as in the case of the aforementioned
steel guitar.
For each of these eight kinds of play style dependence tone colors
assigned to the tone pitch range C2 to B5 of steel guitar and these
four kinds of play style dependence tone colors assigned to the
tone pitch range C2 to B5 of electric bass guitar, one set of
waveform data may be prepared; however, in the present embodiment,
waveform data made of plural sets of sub waveform data are
prepared. Each of these plural sets of sub waveform data is
provided for each predetermined tone pitch range (for example, half
octave). These sub waveform data are stored in waveform memory 40.
Here, in the present embodiment, these sub waveform data are
provided commonly for different values of the velocity data;
however, the sub waveform data may be made different in accordance
with the values of the velocity data.
Further, with regard to the strumming play style tone color, fret
noise play style tone color, and glissando play style tone color
assigned to the tone pitch range C6 to G8 of steel guitar and
electric bass guitar, for each of the aforesaid plural kinds of
strumming play style tone colors, fret noise play style tone
colors, and glissando play style tone colors, one set of waveform
data is prepared. In this case also, each waveform data is stored
in waveform memory 40. Here, in the present embodiment, the
waveform data respectively corresponding to the aforesaid plural
kinds of strumming play style tone colors, fret noise play style
tone colors, and glissando play style tone colors are provided
commonly for different values of the velocity data; however, the
waveform data may be made different in accordance with the values
of the velocity data.
Filter processing section 33 is constituted with a digital filter,
and performs a filtering process on the waveform data read out in
waveform data reading processing section 32 to impart desired
frequency characteristics to the musical tone signals to be
generated. Envelope processing section 34 is constituted with a
waveform forming section for forming an amplitude envelope waveform
and a multiplier, and imparts a desired amplitude envelope to the
waveform data (waveform signals) from filter processing section 33
for output as digital musical tone signals. Here, these waveform
data reading processing section 32, filter processing section 33,
and envelope processing section 34 respectively execute each
process in synchronization with plural time division channel
timings. These plural time division channel timings respectively
correspond to plural tone generation channels, and the plural tone
generation channels respectively correspond to play parts of the
music.
Accumulating section 35 accumulates digital musical tone signals
supplied from envelope processing section 34 in synchronization
with the aforesaid plural time division channel timings to output a
digital musical tone signal obtained as a sum of the plural digital
musical tone signals. Effect processing section 36 imparts musical
effects such as chorus and reverb to the digital musical tone
signal from accumulating section 35.
The digital musical tone signal generated in this manner is output
from musical tone signal generating circuit 30 to be supplied to a
sound system 50 via a D/A converter 51. D/A converter 51 converts
the aforesaid output digital musical tone signal into an analog
musical tone signal. Sound system 50 is composed of amplifiers and
speakers, and generates musical tones corresponding to the analog
musical tone signal.
Further, a CPU 61, a timer 62, a ROM 63, a RAM 64, and an external
storage device 65 are connected to bus 20. CPU 61, timer 62, ROM
63, and RAM 64 constitute a main body of a microcomputer, and
executes various programs to control various operations of the
electronic musical instrument.
External storage device 65 is made of a recording medium such as a
hard disk HD incorporated in advance, or a flexible disk FD or
compact disk CD attachably and detachably mounted as well as a
drive unit capable of reading and writing programs and data from
and to the recording medium. The external recording medium stores
various programs and various data. Particularly in the present
embodiment, the external recording medium stores tone color data
constituting a part of the musical tone generating parameters (See
FIG. 2), various automatic performance data (See FIG. 7), automatic
play programs, tone color selection event programs (See FIG. 3),
and tone generating instruction event programs (See FIG. 4).
Further, a part of the various programs and various data are stored
also in ROM 63.
The contents of these programs will be described together with a
description of the operations of the electronic musical instrument.
Here, the aforesaid tone color data will be described. FIG. 2 shows
tone color data concerning one kind of musical instrument tone
color such as, for example, a piano, a steel guitar, or an electric
bass guitar. The tone color data of each musical instrument tone
color is made of a tone color name data representing the tone color
name, a bank select number data and program change number data for
designating a musical instrument tone color, tone color control
information, and other data.
The tone color control information is made of information that
belongs to one kind of musical instrument tone color and is used
for generation of musical tone signals of areas divided by the
values of note number data and velocity data in collaboration with
the aforesaid waveform data stored in waveform memory 40. The tone
color control information is made of an area number data
representing the number of the aforesaid divided areas, plural area
management data for managing the respective areas, and
area-corresponding data designated by each area management data.
Here, although the number of the sets of the area management data
is the number indicated by the area number data ("n" in the example
of FIG. 2), the number of the sets of the area-corresponding data
("m" in the example of FIG. 2) may be equal to or smaller than the
number of the area management data. Further, the number of the sets
of the aforesaid waveform data belonging to one kind of musical
instrument may be equal to or smaller than the number of the area
management data, and may be different from the number of the sets
of the area-corresponding data.
Each area management data is made of note number range data,
velocity range data, waveform data number, waveform reading address
information, and area number data related to each of the aforesaid
divided areas. The note number range data are made of data
respectively indicating the upper limit value and the lower limit
value of the values of the note number data belonging to the area.
The velocity range data are made of data respectively indicating
the upper limit value and the lower limit value of the values of
the velocity data belonging to the area. The waveform data number
indicates the number of waveform data stored in waveform memory 40
and used for the generation of musical tone signals. The waveform
reading address information is made of a start address, an end
address, addresses indicating the loop (repetition) part, and
others of the aforesaid waveform data in waveform memory 40. The
area number data is data for designating one set of
area-corresponding data.
The area-corresponding data are each made of conversion
characteristics designating data, filter parameters, envelope
parameters, tone volume level for each output destination, and
other data. The conversion characteristics designating data are
conversion data for converting, in the case of a musical tone
signal of a play style dependence tone color, the velocity data
value into data value representing the tone volume level of the
musical tone signal. This point will be described with reference to
FIGS. 5B and 6B. In the case of musical instrument tone colors
having play style dependence tone colors such as steel guitar tone
colors and electric bass guitar tone colors, since the velocity
data values "0" to "127" are assigned to plural kinds (eight kinds
in the case of steel guitar tone colors; four kinds in the case of
electric bass guitar tone colors) of play style dependence tone
colors in the tone pitch range C2 to B5, the velocity data values
cannot be used as they are for control of the tone volume level. On
the other hand, velocity data of a predetermined range including
plural different velocity data values are assigned to eight kinds
of play style dependence tone colors. Therefore, when the velocity
data values of a predetermined range assigned to each play style
dependence tone color are converted as shown by solid lines in
FIGS. 5B and 6B, the tone volume level for the musical tone signal
of each play style dependence tone color can be controlled. Here,
the broken lines in FIGS. 5B and 6B show original tone volume level
control characteristics using the velocity data values that change
from "0" to "127".
This point will be specifically described. For example, in the case
of a dead note play style tone color of a steel guitar tone color
in FIG. 5B, the velocity data values within the range from "46" to
"60" are assigned to the tone color. Therefore, when these velocity
data values within the range from "46" to "60" are converted into
velocity data values that change from a predetermined small value
(for example, about "30") to a predetermined large value (for
example, about "127"), the tone volume level of the musical tone
signal of the dead note play style dependence tone color can be
changed from the predetermined small value to the predetermined
large value, though the resolution is low. Further, in the case of
a mute play style tone color of a steel guitar tone color, the
velocity data values ranging from "61" to "75" may be converted
into velocity data values that change from a predetermined small
value (for example, about "30") to a predetermined large value (for
example, about "127").
Similarly, in the case of hammering play style tone color, slide
play style tone color, and harmonics play style tone color of the
steel guitar tone color, by conversion of the velocity data values,
the tone volume level of the musical tone signal of each play style
dependence tone color can be controlled with the converted velocity
data value. Further, referring to FIG. 6B again, regarding the four
kinds of play style dependence tone colors of finger open play
style tone color, mute play style tone color, dead note play style
tone color, and slap play style tone color assigned to the velocity
data values of the electric bass guitar tone color, by conversion
of the velocity data values, the tone volume level of the musical
tone signal of each play style dependence tone color can be
controlled with the converted velocity data value.
In addition, the three kinds of play style dependence tone colors
made of open soft play style tone color, open middle play style
tone color, and open hard play style tone color of the steel guitar
tone color are classified by the strength with which the steel
guitar is played, so that the three kinds of play style dependence
tone colors are dependent on the difference of tone volume level
rather than on the tone color. Moreover, these three kinds of play
style dependence tone colors are extremely similar to one another.
Therefore, it is sufficient that the velocity data values within
the range from "0" to "45" assigned to these three kinds of play
style dependence tone colors are converted into velocity data
values that change from a small predetermined value (for example,
about "30") to a large predetermined value (for example, about
"127"). Here, in FIGS. 5B and 6B, the range of values that the
converted velocity data values can assume are the same for all
kinds of the play style dependence tone colors; however, the range
may be changed for each play style dependence tone color.
Further, the conversion characteristics designation data are
constituted with data that indicate conversion characteristics for
converting the velocity data values in the musical tone signals of
play style dependence tone color such as described above. The
filter parameter controls the filter characteristics in filter
processing section 33. The envelope parameter controls the
amplitude envelope characteristics in envelope processing section
34. The tone volume level for each output destination controls the
output amount to circuits that are subsequent to accumulating
section 35 such as effect processing section 36 in accordance with
the kind of the musical tone signal, for each digital musical tone
signal before accumulation. In this case, accumulating section 35
must accumulate the digital musical tone signals for each output
destination of the digital musical tone signals instead of
accumulating the digital musical tone signals in synchronization
with all the time division channel timings.
Next, the automatic performance data will be described. This
automatic performance data is prepared for each piece of music, and
an example thereof is partially shown in FIG. 7. Each automatic
performance data is arranged in time sequence in accordance with
the progression of music, and includes various performance event
data such as tone color event data, note-on event data, note-off
event data, as well as duration data representing the time interval
between the performance event data.
The tone color event data is a data used for designating a tone
color of the musical tone signal at the time of starting to play
the piece of music, or for changing the tone color of the musical
tone signal during the playing of the piece of music. This tone
color event data is made of two kinds of data, i.e. bank switching
tone color event data made of bank select code, part number data,
and bank select number data, and program switching tone color event
data made of program change code, part number data, and program
change number data. The bank switching tone color event data
belongs to a stratum above the program switching tone color event
data. After one tone color group is designated by the bank
switching tone color event data, one tone color is designated among
the aforesaid designated one tone color group by the program
switching tone color event data. Therefore, if the tone colors
belonging to one and the same tone color group (one and the same
bank) are successively changed, it is sufficient to change only the
program switching tone color event data.
The bank select code is an identification code indicating the bank
switching tone color event data, and the program change code is an
identification code indicating the program switching tone color
event data. Further, the part number data represents a play part of
the music whose tone color is to be designated or changed
(corresponding to a tone generation channel of musical tone signal
generating circuit 30). The bank select number data represents one
of the aforesaid tone color groups, and the program change number
data represents one tone color belonging to the aforesaid tone
color group. However, the tone colors as referred to herein
represent musical instrument tone colors corresponding to the kind
of musical instrument such as, for example, a piano, a steel
guitar, or an electric bass guitar.
Each note-on event data is for indicating the start of generating
musical tone signals, and includes a part number data, a note
number data, and a velocity data in addition to a note-on code as
an identification code representing the start of generating the
musical tone signals. The part number data corresponds to a channel
number at which the musical tone signals are to be generated among
the plural tone generation channels of musical tone signal
generating circuit 30. The note number data and the velocity data
generally represent the tone pitch and the tone volume level,
respectively, of the musical tone signal. However, in the case
where one kind of musical instrument tone color has plural play
style dependence tone colors, such as the above described case,
these note number data and velocity data are used also for the
designation of a play style dependence tone color. The note-off
event data is for ending the musical tone signal that has been
generated by the aforesaid note-on event data.
Further, an interface circuit 70 including a MIDI interface circuit
and a communication interface circuit is connected to bus 20. The
MIDI interface circuit is connected to performance device apparatus
such as a keyboard, other musical instruments, personal computers,
and other MIDI-conforming apparatus such as an automatic play
apparatus (sequencers), and receives MIDI information from the
apparatus. The communication interface circuit is connected to a
server computer via a communication network (for example, the
internet) so as to send and receive data and programs to and from
the server computer.
Next, an operation of the embodiment constructed as shown above
will be described. First, a user starts execution of an automatic
play program stored in a hard disk of external storage device 65
(not illustrated). By the start of execution of this automatic play
program, the tone color selection event program of FIG. 3 and the
tone generating instruction event program of FIG. 4 stored in the
hard disk of external storage device 65 are also started. Here, in
the event that these automatic play program, tone color selection
event program, and tone generating instruction event program are
not stored in the hard disk of external storage device 65,
execution of the aforesaid programs may be started after the
programs are installed from a compact disk, a flexible disk, or the
like into the hard disk, or after the programs are downloaded into
the hard disk from an external apparatus such as a MIDI-conforming
apparatus, a server connected to a communication network, or the
like via interface circuit 70.
Also, the user designates a piece of music that the user wishes to
reproduce by execution of this automatic play program or by
operating panel operator group 12 while looking at a display screen
of displayer 13 independently from the execution of the automatic
play program. The user then allows RAM 64 to store automatic
performance data related to the designated piece of music. In this
case, as the automatic performance data, those stored in the hard
disk, compact disk, flexible disk, or the like of external storage
device 65 can be used, or alternatively the automatic performance
data can be supplied from an external apparatus such as a
MIDI-conforming apparatus or a server connected to a communication
network via interface circuit 70.
Next, when the user gives instructions for the start of playing,
CPU 61 by execution of the aforesaid automatic play program starts
reproduction of the aforesaid automatic performance data taken in
into RAM 64. In the reproduction of this automatic performance
data, performance data such as shown in FIG. 7 and stored in RAM 64
are successively read out in accordance with the progression of a
piece of music.
In reading this performance data out, when the tone color event
data is read out, CPU 61 starts execution of the tone color
selection event program of FIG. 3 at step S10. After the start of
the execution of this tone color selection event program, at step
S12, CPU 61 sets the bank select number data, the program channel
number data, and the part number data included in the read tone
color event data as a bank select number BS, a program channel
number PC, and part numbers PTb, PTp which are variables.
Specifically, if the read tone color event data is a bank switching
tone color event data, bank select number BS and part number PTb
are set to be the read bank select number data and part number
data, respectively. If the read tone color event data is a program
switching tone color event data, program change number BS and part
number PTp are set to be the read program change number data and
part number data, respectively. Then, the set of bank select number
BS and part number PTb and the set of program change number BS and
part number PTp that have been set are preserved until new bank
switching tone color event data and program switching tone color
event data are read out.
Next, at step S14, CPU 61 checks whether a tone color data (See
FIG. 2) defined by bank select number BS and program channel number
PC having the same part numbers PTb, PTp is present or not in
external storage device 65 or ROM 63.
If a tone color data corresponding to the aforesaid two numbers PC,
BS is present, CPU 61 determines as "Yes" at step S16 and proceeds
to step S18. At step S18, CPU 61 reads the aforesaid tone color
data from external storage device 65 or ROM 63, and stores the tone
color data in a tone generating buffer area VB(PT) prepared in
advance in RAM 64 and designated by the part number PT. Here, this
tone color data is a tone color data for the aforesaid one tone
color of FIG. 2. On the other hand, if a tone color data
corresponding to the aforesaid two numbers PC, BS is not present,
CPU 61 determines as "No" at step S16 and proceeds to step S20. At
step S20, CPU 61 clears the tone color data in the aforesaid tone
generating buffer area VB(PT) prepared in RAM 64. Then, after the
aforesaid processes of steps S18, S20, CPU 61 ends the execution of
the tone color selection event program at step S22.
Meanwhile, if the note-on event data is read out, CPU 61 starts
execution of the tone generating instruction event program of FIG.
4 at step S30. After the start of execution of this tone generating
instruction event program, at step S32, CPU 61 sets the part number
data, the note number data, and the velocity data included in the
read note-on event data as a part number PT, a note number NN, and
a velocity VEL which are variables. Next, at step S34, CPU 61
selects an area corresponding to the note number NN and the
velocity VEL by making references to the area management data 1 to
n in the tone color data stored in the tone generating buffer area
VB(PT) of RAM 64.
Specifically, CPU 61 checks whether the note number NN is within
the range represented by the note number range data in each area
management data and whether the velocity VEL is within the range
represented by the velocity range data in each area management
data. If both the note number NN and the velocity VEL are
respectively within the aforesaid ranges, CPU 61 determines that it
is the relevant area, whereby the waveform data number, the
waveform reading address information, and the area number data in
this area management data are read out from the tone generating
buffer area VB(PT) and temporarily stored into a different area in
RAM 64. In addition, the area number data is used also for
selection of an area-corresponding data, and the area-corresponding
data designated by the area number data also is read out from the
tone generating buffer area VB(PT) and temporarily stored into a
different area in RAM 64. Here, by this process, plural relevant
areas may be selected in some cases.
Next, at step S36, CPU 61 assigns tone generation channels of
musical tone signal generating circuit 30 one by one to the
aforesaid selected areas. If plural areas have been selected as
described above, plural tone generation channels are assigned.
After the aforesaid process of step S36, at step S38, CPU 61
determines the need for conversion of the velocity data value by
checking whether a conversion characteristics designating data,
i.e. a conversion data for converting the velocity data value, is
present or not in the aforesaid selected area-corresponding data.
If there is no need for converting the velocity data value, CPU 61
determines as "No" at step S38 and proceeds to step S42. On the
other hand, if there is a need for converting the velocity data
value, CPU 61 determines as "Yes" at step S38 and proceeds to step
S40. At step 40, CPU 61 changes the aforesaid velocity VEL that has
been temporarily stored in RAM 64 to a new velocity VEL
representing a real tone volume level by using the conversion
characteristics designating data. Specifically, if the play style
dependence tone colors are respectively assigned to different
velocity data values, the velocity data values of "0" to "127" are
changed to values shown by solid lines in FIGS. 5B and 6B.
After the aforesaid process of step S40 or after it is determined
as "No" in step S38, at step S42, CPU 61 supplies the aforesaid
musical tone generating parameters made of the waveform data
number, waveform reading address information and the
area-corresponding data temporarily stored in RAM 64 to a register
corresponding to the assigned tone generation channel of register
section 31 in musical tone signal generating circuit 30 in addition
to the note number NN and velocity VEL (the velocity after
conversion if it is converted using the conversion characteristics
designating data). The aforesaid area-corresponding data include
the filter parameter, envelope parameter, tone volume level data
for each output destination, and other data. Then, CPU 61 gives
instructions to musical tone signal generating circuit 30 for
starting the generation of musical tone signals at step S44, and
ends the execution of the tone generating instruction event program
at step S46.
Musical tone signal generating circuit 30 generates musical tone
signals in accordance with the aforesaid supplied musical tone
generating parameters in the aforesaid assigned tone generation
channel by operations of waveform data reading processing section
32, filter processing section 33, and envelope processing section
34. Waveform data reading processing section 32 reads the waveform
data designated by the aforesaid waveform data number from waveform
memory 40 at a reading rate corresponding to the aforesaid note
number NN by using the aforesaid waveform reading address
information, and supplies the read waveform data to filter
processing section 33 as a waveform signal. Here, the waveform data
number, the note number NN and the waveform reading address
information are supplied to register section 31. Filter processing
section 33 performs a filtering process on the aforesaid supplied
waveform signal by using the aforesaid filter parameter supplied to
register section 31. Envelope processing section 34 imparts an
amplitude envelope designated by the aforesaid envelope parameter
supplied to register section 31 to the waveform signal that has
been subjected to the filtering process, and controls the amplitude
of the waveform signal in accordance with the aforesaid velocity
VEL supplied to register section 31 to supply the waveform signal
to accumulating section 35 as a digital musical tone signal.
Accumulating section 35 accumulates plural digital musical tone
signals generated as described above. Effect processing section 36
then imparts musical effects to the aforesaid accumulated digital
musical tone signals. In this case, accumulating section 35 and
effect processing section 36 perform an accumulation process and an
effect imparting process in accordance with the aforesaid tone
volume level data for each output destination and other data
supplied to register section 31. The musical tone signals to which
the musical effects have been imparted in this manner are supplied
to sound system 50 via D/A converter 51 and are generated in sound
system 50 as musical tones.
On the other hand, the generation of the musical tones in the
above-described manner is ended by reading the note-off event data
in the performance data. In other words, when the note-off event
data is read out in accordance with the progression of the music,
CPU 61 gives instructions to musical tone signal generating circuit
30 for ending the generation of the musical tone signals designated
by the note-off event data. Here, in order to designate the musical
tone signals currently being generated, the note-off event data
also includes a part number data and a note number data. By this
process, musical tone signal generating circuit 30 ends the
generation of the musical tone signals currently being generated
when the note-off event data is read out. Then, the generation of
the musical tones corresponding to the musical tone signals is also
ended.
Next, such control of the generation of musical tone signals will
be described by raising specific examples. Description will be made
on the case where a musical instrument tone color having play style
dependence tone colors, for example, a musical instrument tone
color of a steel guitar or an electric bass guitar, has been
selected. Here, this musical instrument tone color is designated by
the program change number data and the bank select number data in
the tone color event data. Then, if the note number data value in
the note-on event data is within the range of "0" to "95"
(corresponding to the tone pitch range C2 to B5), an area
corresponding to at least one play style dependence tone color that
accords to the velocity data value is selected from among plural
play style dependence tone colors such as open soft and open middle
by the area selecting process of step S34 of FIG. 4 (See FIGS. 5
and 6). Then, musical tone signal generating circuit 30 uses
waveform data stored in waveform memory 40 and corresponding to the
aforesaid selected play style dependence tone color, and generates
musical tone signals in accordance with the area-corresponding data
corresponding to the aforesaid selected area.
This allows that, simply by setting the velocity data in the
note-on event data to have various values, one can generate musical
tone signals of plural kinds of play style dependence tone colors
being different from one another in terms of play styles in one and
the same kind of musical instrument. This eliminates the need for
using the bank select number data and the program change number
data, thereby providing shorter processing time needed for
switching among the play style dependence tone colors. Also, this
simplifies the work of editing the performance data including
designation of a play style dependence tone color, and prevents
occurrence of errors in the editing work.
Further, in this generation of the musical tone signal of the play
style dependence tone color, the velocity data value used for
assigning the play style dependence tone color is converted into
data representing the original tone volume level using the
conversion characteristics designation data in the
area-corresponding data by the process of step S40 of FIG. 4. Then,
musical tone signal generating circuit 30 controls the tone volume
level of the musical tone signal of the play style dependence tone
color in accordance with this converted velocity data value
(velocity VEL). According to this, musical tone signals of plural
kinds of play style dependence tone colors can be formed with the
use of velocity data, and also the tone volume levels of the
musical tone signals data can be controlled in accordance with the
velocity, thereby leading to improvements in the quality of the
generated musical tone signals.
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the waveform data and
area-corresponding data of the aforesaid same play style dependence
tone color are each prepared in plural sets, and different waveform
data and area-corresponding data belonging to one kind of play
style dependence tone color are assigned to note number data values
of different tone pitch ranges. Therefore, in the case of
generating musical tone signals having different tone pitch ranges
or different tone pitches, the musical tone signals are generated
with the use of different waveform data and area-corresponding data
even if the musical tone signals belong to one and the same play
style dependence tone color, thereby leading to improvements in the
quality of the generated musical tone signals.
Further, if the note number data value in the note-on event data is
within the range from "96" to "127" (corresponding to the tone
pitch range C6 to G8) in a state in which a musical instrument tone
color having play style dependence tone colors such as the
aforesaid steel guitar tone color or electric bass guitar tone
color is selected, an area corresponding to at least one play style
dependence tone color is selected according to the note number data
value from among the plural play style dependence tone colors such
as strumming and fret noise by the area selection process of step
S34 of FIG. 4 (See FIGS. 5 and 6). In this case also, musical tone
signal generating circuit 30 generates musical tone signals in
accordance with the area-corresponding data corresponding to the
aforesaid selected area in the same manner as in the
above-described case.
Considering that musical tone signals of play style dependence tone
colors such as open soft and open middle are generated when the
note number data value of the above-described case is within the
range from "0" to "95" (corresponding to the tone pitch range C2 to
B5), this means that different play style dependence tone colors
are assigned to different note number data values ranging from "0"
to "127" (corresponding to the tone pitch range C2 to G8) of the
note number data value. Therefore, according to the above-described
embodiment, musical tone signals of plural kinds of play style
dependence tone colors being different from one another in terms of
play styles in one and the same kind of musical instrument can be
generated simply by setting the note number data in the note-on
event data to various values. This provides shorter processing time
needed for switching among the play style dependence tone colors in
this case as well. Also, this simplifies the work of editing the
performance data including designation of a play style dependence
tone color, and prevents occurrence of errors in the editing
work.
Further, the play style dependence tone colors, such as strumming
and fret noise, assigned to within the aforesaid range of note
number data values "96" to "127" (corresponding to the tone pitch
range C6 to G8) are tone colors depend on play style that is not
associated with specific tone pitches. Further, the aforesaid range
of note number data values "96" to "127" (corresponding to the tone
pitch range C6 to G8) is a tone pitch range that is not usually
used for generation of musical tone signals having tone pitches. In
other words, the play style dependence tone colors that are not
associated with specific tone pitches, such as strumming and fret
noise, are assigned to note number data values representing tone
pitches outside the tone pitch range that can be generated as
musical tone signals having one specific tone pitch, for example,
to note number data values representing tone pitches within a tone
pitch range that cannot be generated in the relevant musical
instrument. Therefore, the note number data can be effectively used
without hindering the generation of musical tone signals having
tone pitches.
Also, the aforesaid tone pitch range C6 to G8 (corresponding to
note number data values "96" to "127") is further divided into
plural tone pitch ranges, i.e. the tone pitch range C6 to D7
(corresponding to note number data values "96" to "110") and the
tone pitch range D#7 to G8 (corresponding to note number data
values "111" to "127"). Different play style dependence tone colors
are respectively assigned to these divided tone pitch ranges C6 to
D7 and D#7 to G8. Further, play style dependence tone colors having
a little different tone colors in one kind of play style dependence
tone color are respectively assigned to tone pitches within these
divided tone pitch ranges C6 to D7 and D#7 to G8. Therefore,
multiple kinds of play style dependence tone colors can be used,
whereby variegated musical tone signals can be generated.
Next, a modified example of the above-mentioned embodiment will be
described. In each area (i.e. each tone pitch range or each tone
pitch) assigned to the note number data value in the
above-described embodiment, different play style dependence tone
colors may be assigned to different velocity data values. Namely,
if for different velocity data values, different waveform data are
prepared and area-corresponding data are prepared, more variegated
musical tone signals can be generated.
Particularly in this case, referring to FIG. 8, slightly different
play style dependence tone colors Ak, Bk, Ck, and Ak+1, Bk+1, Ck+1
are assigned to slightly different velocity data values that are
different from one another by "1", and waveform data and
area-corresponding data are prepared in correspondence with the
play style dependence tone colors. Moreover, slightly different
play style dependence tone colors Ak, Bk, Ck, and Ak+1, Bk+1, Ck+1
may be assigned in a cyclic manner. This allows selective use of
play style dependence tone colors having finely different tone
colors at the time of reproducing the automatic performance data.
For example, by changing the velocity data value in the note-on
event data with a play operator such as a wheel or a slider,
musical tone signals of play style dependence tone colors having
finely different tone colors are randomly generated, thereby
realizing natural music performance. Further, the velocity data
value may be changed before reproduction of the automatic
performance data, i.e. at the time of preparing or editing the
automatic performance data.
Further, in the above-described embodiment, regarding play style
dependence tone colors, waveform data and area data are prepared in
the whole area of the "0" to "127" of the note number and "0" to
"127" of the velocity. However, there are cases in which it is
difficult in terms of costs to prepare waveform data and area data
in the whole area such as this in lower-grade apparatus of
electronic musical instrument even though this may be realized in
upper-grade apparatus of electronic musical instrument.
In this case, the waveform data and area data regarding the area
where they cannot be prepared may be substituted with other
waveform data and area-corresponding data. However, one may omit
the waveform data and area-corresponding data, regarding the area
where they cannot be prepared, and the generation of the musical
tone signals regarding the area may be made impossible. This
facilitates the user's recognition of the absence of the waveform
data and area-corresponding data regarding the area. Further,
regarding the aforesaid area where the waveform data cannot be
prepared, only the waveform data may be substituted with the
waveform data of other areas, and the filter parameters, envelope
parameters, and others constituting the area-corresponding data may
be made different from those corresponding to the substituted
waveform data.
Here, in the above-described embodiment, only the generation of
musical tone signals based on the automatic performance data has
been described; however, the musical tone signal generation
according to the above-described embodiment can be applied to
generation of musical tone signals according to real-time
performance. In this case, the characteristic features of the
above-described embodiment may be applied to the note number data
and velocity data (data representing the strength of touch)
according to operation of performance operator group 11 such as a
keyboard.
Also, the present invention can be applied not only to electronic
musical instruments but also to any electronic music apparatus as
long as they are electronic music apparatus that can perform
processing of programs such as a personal computer.
Further, in carrying out the present invention, it is not limited
to the above-described embodiments or modifications thereof, so
that various modifications can be made as long as they do not
depart from the object of the present invention.
* * * * *